Weft straightening apparatus and method



1967 w. w. MACOMSON WEFT STRAIGHTENING APPARATUS AND METHOD 4- Sheets-Sheef- 1 Filed June 15: 1964 INVENTOR. \/\$TA\? WRAGHT MAcoMsoN BYWMM%/% ATTORNEYS Jan. 10, 1967 w. w, MACOMSON 3,296,676

WEFT STRAIGHTENING APPARATUS AND METHOD Filed June [5, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR: \MEJAR Wwqm MAcoM S ON ATTORNEYS Jan. 10, 1967 w. W. MACOMSON WEFT STRAIGHTENING APPARATUS AND METHOD 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed June 5, 1964 2 INVENTOR'. W15TARWR\GHT MACOVEON ATTORNEY.

Jan. 10, 1967 lllil W. MACOMSON United States Patent 3,296,676 WEFT STRAIGHTENING APPARATUS AND METHGD Wistar Wright Macomson, Qharlotte, N.C., asslgnor of fifty percent to Dan C. Page, .lr., Gastonla, N.C. Filed June 3, 1964, Ser. No. 372,265 16 Claims. (Cl. 26-513) The present invention relates to a weft straightening apparatus and method, and more particularly to such an apparatus and method for acting upon woven fabric webs to bring distorted weft yarns thereof into perpendicularity with the warp yarns thereof.

As fabric webs are woven, the weft yarns are inserted into the fabric in perpendicular relation to the warp yarns thereof. However, in subsequent processing of the fabric webs, these weft yarns frequently become disarranged to various distorted positions, which are commonly referred to as bow, skew or dogleg depending upon the relationship thereof to the warp yarns. The weft yarns in a single fabric web may assume any one or a combination of these distorted positions.

Conventional weft straightening apparatus for correcting bowed or skewed distortions in the weft yarns of fabric webs are well known, but such conventional weft straightening apparatus have many deficiencies. One of these deficiencies is that a different apparatus must be used for each different type of distortion since, .prior to the instant invention, no single apparatus has been provided which will correct all types of distortion which may be present in the weft yarns of fabric webs. Also, insofar as is known, no conventional weft straightening apparatus is available which will successfully straighten or correct a dogleg distortion in the weft yarns of a fabric web.

Another deficiency of conventional weft straightening apparatus is that such apparatus is dependent upon the sensing of both the type and degree of distortion in the weft yarns by the operator of the machine, in most instances, or by photoelectric or other types of sensing means. Upon sensing the type of distortion in the weft yarns, the operator must choose the particular conventional weft straightening apparatus which will correct this type of distortion, and, following this choice, the apparatus must then be adjusted to correct the degree of distortion present therein. Since this degree of distortion may vary considerably in various portions of a fabric web, it can be appreciated that such apparatus requires the constant and careful attention of an operator and must be continuously adjusted to correct varying degrees of distortion.

The conventional weft straightening apparatus which have photoelectric or other types of sensing means for sensing the type and degree of distortion in the weft yarns obviate to some degree the requirements on the operator thereof, but such conventional apparatus is extremely complex and is expensive both to manufacture and maintain. Also, such apparatus is very large and cumbersome and requires a large amount of floor space which adds to the expensive nature of the operation thereof.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a novel weft straightening apparatus and method which obviate the deficiencies of conventional Weft straightening apparatus and methods and wherein all types of distortion or combinations thereof are corrected or removed.

A more specific object of the present invention is to provide a novel weft straightening apparatus and method of the character described wherein the weft yarns, regardless of their initial distorted condition, are rearranged to bring the weft yarns into perpendicular relation to the warp yarns without the necessity of constant attention and/ or adjustment to correct varying degrees of distortion.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a ice weft straightening apparatus which may be preset in accordance with the type of fabric web being acted upon and which will thereafter remove any type and degree of distortion from fabric webs of this type passed therethrough without further adjustment.

Some of the objects of the invention having been stated, other objects will appear as the description proceeds, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a weft straightening apparatus embodying the features of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a vertical section taken substantially along line 2--2 in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary horizontal section taken substantially along line 3--3 in FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a horizontal section taken substantially along line 44 in FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 5 is a reduced left-hand elevation of the apparatus shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 6 is a schematic view of portions of a fabric web illustrating the distorted conditions which the weft yarns thereof may assume;

FIGURE 7 is a somewhat schematic front perspective view illustrating the instant method of straightening the weft yarns; and

FIGURE 8 is a view similar to FIGURE 7 further illustrating the instant method of straightening the weft yarns of a fabric web.

Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to FIGURE 1, a weft straightening apparatus embodying the present invention is generally indicated at 10 and includes a main frame 11 which may be of any desired character. However, in the embodiment illustrated in the drawing, main frame 11 comprises first and second pairs of upright channel members 12, 13 and 14, 15, respectively, the members of the respective pairs being connected at their lower and upper ends by horizontal channel members 16, 17 and 20, 21, respectively. The first and second pairs of upright channel members are, in turn, connected at their lower ends by angle members 22 (FIG- URE 2) and 23 (FIGURE 1) and at their upper ends by angle members 24 and 25.

First and second means 26 and 27, respectively, are carried by main frame 11 and define first and second zones through which the fabric web passes and in which the weft yarns thereof are rearranged. Means 26- and 27 comprise first and second pairs of auxiliary frame sections 30, 31 and 32, 33, respectively, which are substantially identical in construction and comprise generally rectangular open frameworks formed of upright side members 34, 35; 36, 37; 38, 3%; and 40, 41, and horizontal end members 42, 43; 44, 45; 46, 47; and 50, 51. End members 42, 43; 44, 45; 46, 47; and 50, 51 have spindles or stub shafts 52, S3, 54, 55, 56, 57, 60 and 61, respectively, mounted on the central portion thereof and which, in turn, are rotatably mounted in bearings 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 70 and 71 (FIGURE 2). Bearings 62 and 64 are mounted on opposite ends of a channel member 72 which extends transversely of and is bolted to lower horizontal member 16 of main frame 11. Bearings 63 and 65; 66 and 70; and 67 and 71, are similarly mounted on opposite ends of respective channel members 73, 74 and 75 extending transversely of and bolted on respective horizontal members 17, 2t) and 21 of main frame 11. Auxiliary frame sections 30, 31, 32 and 33 are thereby mounted for pivotal movement about vertical pivots or axes.

Bifurcated brackets 76, 7-7, and 81 (FIGURE 1) are mounted on side members 35, 37, 39 and 41, respectively, of the auxiliary frame sections and have members 82, 83, 84 and 85 rotatably mounted therein for rotation about a vertical axis by reduced end portions disposed in elongate openings 76a, 77a 80a and 81a (FIGURE 4) formed in bifurcated brackets 76, 77, 80 and 81. Each member 82, 83, 84 and 85 has a horizontal, internally threaded opening therethrough, which openings have opposite end portions 86a, 86b and 87a, 87b of threaded shafts 86 and 87 threadably received therein. Shafts 86 and 87 are mounted for rotation in, but are held against longitudinal movement by brackets 90 and 91, respectively, which, in turn, are respectively mounted on upright members 13 and 15 of main frame 11. Hand wheels 92 and 93 are mounted on shafts 86 and 87 for manual rotation thereof in either direction. It is noted that opposite end portions 86a, 86b and 87a, 87b of these shafts have threads of opposite lead thereon so that members 82, 83 and 84, 85 are moved either toward or away from each other upon rotation of shafts 86 and 87. Auxiliary frame sections 30 and 31 are thereby pivoted in opposite directions about their pivots, as are auxiliary frame sections 32 and 33.

Frame section 30, 31, 32 and 33 have horizontally disposed rolls 94, 95, 96 and 97 (FIGURE 2) rotatably mounted therein by respective pairs of bearings 94a, 95a, 96a and 97a mounted on the side members thereof. Each auxiliary frame section 30, 31, 32 and 33 has at least one such roll so that each of the first and second means 26 and 27 includes at least two rolls which are tiltable relative to each other by the pivotal mounting of the auxiliary frame sections. Preferably, each auxiliary frame section has four vertically spaced rolls mounted therein which are collectively movable with the auxiliary frame section.

Rolls 94, 95, 96 and 97 are preferably smooth-surfaced and rolls 94 are staggered relative to rolls 95 and rolls 97 are staggered relative to rolls 96. In this respect, rolls 94 and 97 are in the same horizontal planes, and rolls 95 and 96 are in common horizontal planes. Also, the roll in each set are spaced apart a distance substantially the same as the diameter of a roll such that horizontal tangents drawn to the lower surfaces of rolls 94 and 97 will also be tangent to the upper surfaces of rolls 95 and 96.

To separate the first and second zones defined by first and second means 26 and 27 and to prevent the rearranging action of rolls 94 and 95 from interfering with the action of rolls 96 and 97 or vice versa, a pair of nip rolls 100, 101 are provided between the upper rolls 94 and 97 and are adapted to have the fabric web pass therebetween as the same leaves the first zone and enters the second zone. Roll 101 has opposite ends thereof mounted for rotation in bearings 102 which, in turn, are bolted to suitable angle members 103. Members 103 are suitably stationarily mounted on the upright members of main frame 11. Upper roll 100 is rotatably journaled at opposite ends in bearings 104 which are mounted on suitable members 105. Members 105 are pivotally mounted at one end thereof on members 14 and 15, re-

spectively, by bolts 106, and are disposed generally parallel to angle members 103. Members 103 and 105 have vertically alined openings in the end portions thereof opposite to the pivotally mounted end of member 105. Bolts 107 having heads 107a disposed beneath angle members 103 penetrate through the openings in members 103 and 105 and extend upwardly above members 105. Compression springs 110 are disposed around bolts 107 above members 105 and nuts 111 are threadably mounted on bolts 107 above compression springs 110. Therefore, springs 110 bias pivotally mounted members 105 downwardly toward members 103 such that roll 100 is biased against roll 101 and the force at which roll 100 is biased against roll 101 is adjustable by adjusting the compressive force of springs 110 by rotation of nuts 111 on bolts 107.

Preferably, rolls 100, 101 are covered by a soft rubber covering to provide improved fabric web gripping characteristics. It is contemplated, however, that other surfaces may be utilized on rolls and 101 Without departing from the scope of the instant invention.

Also, rolls 100 and 101 may he idler rolls which freely rotate due to the action of the fabric web being drawn therethrough. However, it is contemplated that rolls 100 and 101 may be driven by a motor 112 having a drive pulley 113 thereon connected by a belt 114 to a driven pulley 115 drivingly connected to roll 100. By con-trolling the output speed of motor 112 and thereby the speed of rotation of the rolls 100, 101 relative to the speed the fabric web is passing through the apparatus, these rolls may be utilized to compensate for shrinkage of the fabric web by acting as a brake on the fabric web passing into the second zone defined by the rolls 96 and 97, and to compensate for stretching of the fabric web by overfeeding the fabric web into the second zone.

It has been determined that the weft straightening apparatus of the present invention produces better results when the fabric Web passing thereinto has a predetermined, substantially uniform tension therein. It is therefore contemplated by the present invention that a fabric tensioning mechanism be used in combination with the weft straightening apparatus for insuring a predetermined tension in the fabric web as the same passes into the first zone defined by rolls 94 and 95. One embodiment of such a tensioning mechanism is disclosed in applicants copending application Serial No. 351,359, filed March 12, 1964, and entitled Web Tensioner and Spreader. This mechanism comprises three rolls 120, 121 and 122 (FIGURE 8) arranged in a triangular pattern and interconnected in a manner not shown. These rolls are adapted to have the fabric web pass therearound and are connected to a suitable means (not shown) which controls the speed of rotation thereof for thereby controlling the tension in the fabric Web.

Further, the instant weft straightening apparatus may be used in conjunction with any suitable fabric web treating apparatus and such treating apparatus may be utilized as means for pulling the fabric web through the apparatus 10. Alternatively, a set of feed rolls 123, 124 (FIGURES 7 and 8) may be provided and driven in any suitable manner (not shown) for pulling the fabric web through weft straightening apparatus 10.

The operation of the instant apparatus and the novel method of the instant invention will now be described. Referring to FIGURE 6, there is illustrated various portions of a fabric web W, the first portion A of which has the weft yarns therein distorted to a straight-line forward skew. The second portion B of fabric web W has a rearward skewed distortion in the weft yarns thereof while the portions C, D, E and F have a forward bowed distortion, a rearward bowed distortion, a first dogleg distortion and a second dogleg distortion, respectively, in the weft yarns thereof. The method of the instant invention contemplates the passage of a fabric web W having one or more or a combination of the aforementioned distortions in the weft yarns thereof through a first zone wherein the weft yarns are rearranged to a predetermined, substantially uniform distortion, and then through a second zone wherein this predetermined, substantially uniform distortion is removed by rearranging the Weft yarns into perpendicularity with the warp yarns.

In FIGURE 7, means 26 and 27 are illustrated as comprising a pair of rolls 94, 95 and 96, 97, respectively, and the fabric web is illustrated as having a forward bowed distortion in the weft yarns as it enters the apparatus. The pair of rolls 94, 95 are tilted such that their axes are at an acute angle to each other and one side edge of the fabric Web is caused to travel a greater distance than the other side edge. This causes one end of the weft yarns to travel ahead of the other end thereof and the fabric web exits from this first zone with a predetermined, substantially uniform forward skewed distortion in the weft yarns thereof. Preferably, the fabric then passes between the nip rolls 100 and 101 which grip opposite surfaces of the fabric web transversely of the warp yarns to retain the rearranging forces on the fabric web within the first zone. The fabric web then passes through a second zone defined by the pair of rolls 97 and 96 which have their axes disposed at an acute angle opposite to the angle at which the axes of rolls 94 and 95 are disposed so that the predetermined, substantially uniform forward skew is removed by rearranging the weft yarns to bring the same into perpendicularity with the warp yarns.

More specifically, the present invention contemplates the use of and preferably includes multiple pairs of rolls 94, 95 and 96, 97 for defining the first and second zones whereby the angular relationship between the rolls may be less severe and the rearranging action on the weft yarns of the fabric web will be more gradual.

Referring to FIGURE 8, which illustrates schematically the apparatus with its four pairs of rolls 94, 95 and 96, 97, a fabric web having an initial forward bow distortion therein passes into the first zone defined by rolls 94 and 95. This forward bow is gradually converted to a forward straight-line, substantially uniform skew. In this respect, the action of the several pairs of rolls 94, 95 is cumulative as is illustrated at a, wherein the fabric web has passed around one pair of rolls 94, 95 and the weft yarns have been rearranged somewhat so that one end leads the other slightly; at b wherein the weft yarns have been further rearranged toward a straight-line forward skew, but still retain some bow distortion; at c wherein the weft yarns have been rearranged to substantially remove the bow distortion and to present a small degree of forward skew distortion", and at d wherein the weft yarns have been rearranged to the predetermined, substantially uniform forward skew distortion.

The fabric web then passes between rolls 100 and 101 :and into the second zone defined by rolls 96 and 97. The straightline forward skew distortion is removed gradually in the second zone, as is illustrated in FIGURE 8 at h, i, j and k.

The action of apparatus 10 upon the fabric web W is the same regardless of the type or degree of distortion which was initially present in the weft yarns thereof. In this respect, in each type of fabric web, the maximum permissible distortion of the weft yarns without permanent damage to the fabric web is known or determinable and is substantially constant for webs of the same type. Therefore, in the operation of the instant apparatus and the performance of the instant method, rolls 94 and 95 are preset by suitable rotation of threaded shaft 86 to a position or relationship wherein the axes of the rolls are disposed at a predetermined acute angle, which acute angle is such that the cumulative action of the rolls on the weft yarns will rearrange the weft yarns to a straightline, substantially uniform skew distortion preferably slightly less than the maximum permissible skewed distortion for the type of fabric web being acted upon. The rolls 96 and 97 are then preset to a position wherein the axes are disposed at a predetermined acute angle such that the cumulative action of the rolls on the weft yarns will remove this predetermined, straight-line skewed distortion. Therefore, fabric webs of this type may be passed through the apparatus with substantially no further adjustment thereof regardless of the types or degrees of distortion initially present therein. It is only necessary to change the relationship of the rolls 94 and 95, and rolls 96 and 97 to each other when the type of web being acted upon changes and then the apparatus may be preset for this type of fabric web.

It will there-fore be apparent that a novel weft straightening apparatus and method are provided wherein all types and degrees of distortion are removed from the weft yarns and wherein the apparatus may be preset in accordance with the type of fabric web being acted upon and require very little or no subsequent adjustment until the type of fabric web is changed.

in the drawings and specification there has been set forth a preferred embodiment of the invention and, al though specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being defined in the claims.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for straightening Weft yarns of an elongate woven fabric web to remove a skewed, bowed or doglegged distortion therefrom and to bring the same into perpendicularity with the warp yarns of the fabric web, said apparatus including (a) first means defining a first zone for rearranging the weft yarns in the fabric web regardless of their initial condition into a predetermined, substantially uniform straight-line skew by moving one side edge of the fabric web through a longer path of travel than the other side edge thereof, and

(b) second means defining a second zone for rearranging the weft yarns in the fabric web to remove said straight-line skew therefrom and to bring the weft yarns into perpendicular relation to the warp yarns by moving said other side edge through a longer path of travel than said one side edge thereof.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 including (c) means disposed between said first and second means and adapted to have the fabric web pass therethrough as the same moves from said first zone into said second zone for engaging the fabric web to separate the first and second zones and for preventing the rearranging actions on the weft yarns in these zones from interfering with each other.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said first and second means each comprises at least two tiltable rolls adapted to have the fabric web pass therearound and having their axes disposed at an acute angle relative to each other.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1 including (c) means disposed adjacent said first means for imparting a predetermined tension to the fabric web before the same passes into said first zone.

5. Apparatus for straightening weft yarns of an elongate woven fabric web to remove a skewed, bowed or doglegged distortion therefrom and to bring the same into perpendicularity with the warp yarns of the fabric web, said apparatus including (a) first means defining a first zone comprising at least two tiltable rolls having their axes disposed at an acute angle relative to each other and adapted to have the fabric web pass therearound whereby one side edge of the fabric web moves through a longer path of travel than the other side edge thereof to impart a predetermined, substantially uniform straight-line skew to the weft yarns thereof,

(b) a pair of nip rolls disposed adjacent the pair of tiltable rolls defining said first zone and adapted to have the fabric web pass therethrough as the same leaves said tiltable rolls and to engage opposite sides of the fabric web transversely of the warp yarns to retain the rearranging action of the tiltable rolls on the weft yarns within the first zone, and

(c) means defining a second zone comprising at least two tiltable rolls having their axes disposed at an acute angle relative to each other, which acute angle is opposite to the acute angle at which the two tiltable rolls defining said first zone are disposed, said tiltable rolls being adapted to have the fabric web pass therearound whereby said other side edge of the fabric web is moved through a longer path of travel than said one side edge thereof to rearrange the weft yarns to remove said straight-line skew therefrom and to bring the same into perpendicularity with the warp yarns.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5 including (d) means mounting said tiltable rolls of said first and second means for adjustment of the acute angle at which the axes thereof are disposed for varying therearranging action of these rolls on the weft yarns of the fabric web.

7. Apparatus according to claim including (d) means biasing said nip rolls together to cause the same to grippingly engage the fabric web adapted to pass therebetween.

8. Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said first and second means each includes a plurality of cooperating pairs of tiltable rolls which are adapted to have the fabric ieb ass the-rearound and cumulatively act thereupon to rearrange the weft yarns.

9. Appartus for straightening weft yarns of an elongate woven fabric web to remove a skewed, bowed or doglegged distortion therefrom and to bring the same into perpendicularity with the war yarns of the fabric web, said apparatus including (a) first means defining a first zone and comprising (1) a first pair of frame sections,

(2) a plurality of first rolls rotatably mounted in each of said first frame sections, and

(3) means mounting said first frame sections for relative pivotal adjustment about axes disposed perpendicular to the axes of said rolls for positioning the axes of said rolls at an acute angle relative to each other, said first rolls being (4) adapted to have the fabric web pass therearound and to cumulatively cause one side edge of the fabric web to move through a longer path of travel than the other side edge of the fabric web to rearrange the weft yarns into a predetermined, substantially uniform, straight-line skewed distortion,

(b) a pair of nip rolls disposed adjacent said first means and adapted to have the fabric web pass therebetween as the same passes from said first means,

(c) spring means biasing said nip rolls together for causing the same to grippingly engage opposite faces of a fabric web passing therebetween, and

(d) second means defining a second zone and comprising (1) a second pair of frame sections, I

(2) a plurality of second rolls rotatably mounted in each of said second frame sections, and

(3) means pivotally mounting said second frame sections for relative pivotal adjustment about axes disposed perpendicular to the axes of said rolls for positioning the axes thereof at an acute angle relative to each other, said acute angle being opposite to, the acute angle at which the axes of said first rolls are disposed, said second rolls being adapted to have the fabric web pass therearound and to cumulatively cause said other side edge of the fabric web to move through a longer path of travel than said one side edge thereof to rearrange the weft yarns to remove the predetermined, substantially uniform skewed distortion therefrom and to bring the same into 'perpendicularity with the warp yarns.

1t Apparatus according to claim 9 including (e) means operatively connected to each of said first and second pairs of frame sections for common adjustment of the frame sections of each of said pairs about their pivotal axes to adjust the acute angle between the axes of the rolls and for maintaining the frame sections in adjusted position so that the angular relationship of said first rolls may be preset in accordance with the type of fabric web to be acted upon to rearrange the weft yarns in a predetermined, skewed distortion slightly less than the maximum permissible skewed distortion without permanently damaging the fabric web and the angular relationship of said second rolls may be preset to remove the predetermined distortion irnparted to the weft yarns by said first rolls,

11. Apparatus for straightening weft yarns of an elongate woven fabric web to remove a skewed, bowed or doglegged distortion therefrom and to bring the same into perpendicularity with the warp yarns of the fabric web, said apparatus including (a) first means defining a first zone and comprising (1) a first pair of elongate vertically disposed frame sections, A

(2) four horizontally disposed, smooth surfaced first rolls rotatably mounted in each frame section and vertically spaced apart therein and adapted to have the fabric web pass therearound,

(3) means mounting said frame sections for relaative pivotal movement about vertical axes centrally disposed therein, and

(4) means operatively connected to said frame sections for common adjustment thereof about their pivotal axes for adjusting the angular relationship of the frame sections and thereby the rolls relative to each other to position the axes of said rolls at various acute angles relative to each other to cause one side edge of the fabric web to move through a longer path of travel than the other side edge thereof to rearrange the weft yarns into a predetermined, substantially uniform skewed distortion, the angular relationship between said rolls being presettable in accordance with the type of fabric to be acted upon such that said predetermined, substantially uniform skewed distortion is slightly less than the maximum permissible skewed distortion impartable to the weft yarns without permanently damaging the fabric web whereby all fabric webs of a particular type regardless of the type and degree of initial distortion therein may be passed through said first zone without further adjustment of said rolls,

(b) a pair of smooth-surfaced, rubber-covered, nip rolls disposed adjacent the uppermost rolls of said first means and adapted to have the fabric web pass therebetween as the same passes from said uppermost rolls,

(c) spring means biasing said nip rolls together for causing the same to grippingly engage opposite faces of the fabric web as the same passes therebetween, and

(d) second means defining a second zone and comprising (l) a second pair of elongate, vertically disposed frame sections,

(2) four horizontally disposed, vertically spaced, smooth-surfaced second rolls rotatably mounted in each of said second frame sections and adapted to have the fabric web pass therearound as the same passes from said nip rolls,

(3) means pivotally mounting said second frame sections for relative pivotal movement about vertical axes centrally disposed therein, and

(4) means operatively connected to said second frame sections for common adjustment thereof about their pivotal axes to adjust the angular relationship therebetween and thereby the angular relationship between the axes of said second rolls carried thereby to position the axes of said second rolls at various acute angles to cause said other side edge of the fabric web to move through a longer path of travel than said one side edge thereof to rearrange the weft yarns to remove said predetermined, substantially uniform skewed distortion and to bring the weft yarns into perpendicularity with the warp yarns.

12.. A method of straightening weft yarns of an elongate woven fabric web to remove a skewed. bowed or doglegged distortion therefrom and to bring'the weft yarns into perpendicularity with the warp yarns of the fabric web, said method comprising the steps of (a) moving the fabric web warpwise through a first zone while rearranging the weft yarns into a predetermined, substantially uniform straight-line skew by warp yarns by moving said other side edge of thefabric through a longer path of travel than said one side edge thereof. 13. A method according to claim 12 including (c) engaging the fabric web as it is moved from the first zone to retain the rearranging action on the weft yarns within the first zone. 14. A method according to claim 12 including imparting a predetermined tension to the fabric web prior to rearranging the weft yarns into the predetermined, substantially uniform straight-line skew. 15. A method of straightening weft yarns of an elongate woven fabric web to remove a skewed, bowed or doglegged distortion therefrom and to bring the weft yarns into erpendicularity with the warp yarns of the fabric web, said method comprising the steps of (a) imparting a predetermined tension to the fabric web,

(b) moving the fabric web warpwise through a first zone while rearranging the weft yarns into a predetermined, substantially uniform straight-line skew; by moving one side edge of the fabric web through a longer path of travel than the other side edge thereof,

(c) engaging opposite faces of the fabric web transversely of the warp yarns as the same moves from the first zone for terminating the first zone and confining the rearranging action on the weft yarns in this zone, and then (d) moving the fabric web warpwise through a second zone while rearranging the skewed weft yarns to remove the predetermined, substantially uniform skew therefrom and to bring the same into perpendicular relation to the warp yarns by moving said other side edge of the fabric through a longer path of travel than said one side edge thereof, the rearranging action on the weft yarns in the second zone being confined in this second zone by the engaging action on the fabric between the first and second zones.

16. A method of straightening weft yarns of an elongate woven fabric web to remove a skewed, bowed or doglegged distortion therefrom and to bring the weft yarns into perpendicularity with the Warp yarns, said method comprising the steps of (a) moving the fabric web warpwise through a first zone While passing the web around at least two tilted rolls which have their axes disposed at an acute angle relative to each other and causing one side edge of the fabric web to move through a longer path of travel than the other side edge thereof to rearrange the weft yarns into a predetermined, sub stantially uniform straight-line skewed, distorted condition,

(b) moving the fabric web between a pair of nip rolls which engage opposite faces of the fabric web transversely of the warp yarns and serve to confine the rearranging action on the weft yarns within the first zone, and

(c) moving the fabric web warpwise through a second zone while passing the same around at least two tilted rolls having their axes disposed at an acute angle relative to each other opposite to the angle that the axes of the tilted rolls in the first zone are disposed and causing said other side of the fabric web to move through a longer path of travel than said one side thereof to rearrange the weft yarns to remove the predetermined, substantially uniform skew therefrom and to bring the same into perpendicular relation to the warp yarns.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 34,960 4/1862 Helm 26-513 1,763,569 6/1930 V-an Orman 2651.3 1,823,205 9/ 1931 Lyth 2651.3 2,343,328 3/1944 Robertson et al 26--51.5 2,709,475 5/1955 Steckel et al. 26--51.3 X 3,156,964 11/1964 Leimer et al. 2651.3 3,193,688 7/1965 Morton et a1 2651.5 X

FOREIGN PATENTS 416,949 9/ 1934 Great Britain. 697,026 9/ 1953 Great Britain. 25,495 11/ 1901 Switzerland.

OTHER REFERENCES Electronic Straighteners Use Two Different Systems, Textile World, October 1947, pp. 123, 125, 127, 200, 202, particularly p. 202.

ROBERT R. MACKEY, Primary Examiner. 

1. APPARATUS FOR STRAIGHTENING WEFT YARNS OF AN ELONGATE WOVEN FABRIC WEB TO REMOVE A SKEWED, BOWED OR DOGLEGGED DISTORTION THEREFROM AND TO BRING THE SAME INTO PERPENDICULARITY WITH THE WARP YARNS OF THE FABRIC WEB, SAID APPARATUS INCLUDING (A) FIRST MEANS DEFINING A FIRST ZONE FOR REARRANGING THE WEFT YARNS IN THE FABRIC WEB REGARDLESS OF THEIR INITIAL CONDITION INTO A PREDETERMINED, SUBSTANTIALLY UNIFORM STRAIGHT-LINE SKEW BY MOVING ONE SIDE EDGE OF THE FABRIC WEB THROUGH A LONGER PATH OF TRAVEL THAN THE OTHER SIDE EDGE THEREOF, AND (B) SECOND MEANS DEFINING A SECOND ZONE FOR REARRANGING THE WEFT YARNS IN THE FABRIC WEB TO REMOVE SAID STRAIGHT-LINE SKEW THEREFROM AND TO BRING THE WEFT YARNS INTO PERPENDICULAR RELATION TO THE WARP YARNS BY MOVING SAID OTHER SIDE EDGE THROUGH A LONGER PATH OF TRAVEL THAN SAID ONE SIDE EDGE THEREOF.
 12. A METHOD OF STRAIGHTENING WEFT YARNS OF AN ELONGATE WOVEN FABRIC WEB TO REMOVE A SKEWED, BOWED OR DOGLEGGED DISTORTION THEREFROM AND TO BRING THE WEFT YARNS INTO PERPENDICULARITY WITH THE WARP YARNS OF THE FABRIC WEB, SAID METHOD COMPRISING THE STEPS OF (A) MOVING THE FABRIC WEB WARPWISE THROUGH A FIRST ZONE WHILE REARRANGING THE WEFT YARNS INTO A PREDETERMINED, SUBSTANTIALLY UNIFORM STRAIGHT-LINE SKEW BY MOVING ONE SIDE EDGE OF THE FABRIC WEB THROUGH A A LONGER PATH OF TRAVEL THAN THE OTHER SIDE EDGE THEREOF, AND THEN (B) MOVING THE FABRIC WEB WARPWISE THROUGH A SECOND ZONE WHILE REARRANGING THE WEFT YARNS TO REMOVE THE PREDETERMINED, STRAIGHT-LINE SKEW THEREFROM AND TO BRING THE SAME INTO PERPENDICULAR RELATION TO THE WARP YARNS BY MOVING SAID OTHER SIDE EDGE OF THE FABRIC THROUGH A LONGER PATH OF TRAVEL THAN SAID ONE SIDE EDGE THEREOF. 